Texas Longhorns in the NFL: Week 6

The Texas bond between defensive end Alex Okafor and strong safety Kenny Vaccaro has translated to success for the New Orleans Saints defense. Okafor forced a fumble and Vaccaro recovered it for a touchdown on Sunday, something that never happened between the two at Texas.

The injury plague hit a few former ‘Horns as Fozzy Whittaker, Jordan Hicks, and Adrian Phillips all exited their games with injuries. Earl Thomas and the Seahawks were on a bye week this past week.

Malcolm Brown (RB-LAR): Brown gained 17 yards on three carries in the Rams win on Sunday. This was a positive sign due to the fact that Brown came into the game with only 16 yards on eight carries.

Jamaal Charles (RB-DEN): The Broncos run game was non-existent in their Sunday night loss. Charles had 19 yards on five carries along with a two-yard reception. He outgained starting running back CJ Anderson on four less carries.

D’Onta Foreman (RB-HOU): The rookie running back had 59 yards on 12 carries including a 39-yard run that he should of scored on. Despite receiving three less carries, Foreman outgained starter Lamar Miller by 18 rushing yards in their blowout victory. With Foreman averaging 4.14 YPC and Miller averaging 3.80 YPC, the workload should continue to become more evenly distributed.

Fozzy Whittaker (RB-CAR): Whittaker suffered a high ankle sprain in the Panthers 28-23 Thursday night lost.

Marquise Goodwin (WR-SF): Goodwin had two catches for 26 yards and a six-yard rushing attempt as the 49ers dropped to 0-6 on the year.

Marcus Johnson (WR-PHI): Johnson had a nice 16-yard reception for his second NFL career catch on Thursday night.

Malcom Brown (DT-NE): The third year defensive tackle recorded his first sack of the 2017 season in the Patriots 24-17 win. Along with a sack, Brown had four tackles with two of those tackles being for a loss.

Alex Okafor (DE-TEN): Okafor’s emerging impact for the Saints defensive line has been immense. He had his second strip-sack of the season to get the Saints off to a quick 7-0 lead. Fellow Texas teammate Kenny Vaccaro recovered the fumble in the endzone. Okafor had two pass deflections, too.

Brian Robison (DT-MIN): Robison amassed a total of five quarterback hits in the Vikings 23-10 win. The veteran also earned his first sack of the 2017 season.

Jordan Hicks (MLB-PHI): Although Hicks left the game with an ankle injury, he should be good to go this upcoming week. He totaled four tackles in the Eagles 28-23 win.

Derrick Johnson (ILB-KC): Johnson totaled six tackles as the Chiefs received their first loss of the season in a 19-13 battle.

Sam Acho (LB-CHI): Acho had three total tackles in the Bears overtime win.

Keenan Robinson (LB-NYG): In effort of the Giants first win of the season, Robinson had a very solid performance. The linebacker had six total tackles (five solo) and two pass deflections.

Quandre Diggs (Nickel CB-DET): In a game where the Lions defense got shredded apart, Diggs did his part. Although he only recorded two tackles, he played well in coverage.

Adrian Phillips (SS-LAC): Phillips sustained a neck injury and is currently under concussion protocol, per head coach Anthony Lynn. He had two tackles in the Chargers 17-16 win.

Kenny Vaccaro (SS-NO): The leader of the Saints secondary had a dominate showing on Sunday. Vaccaro recovered Alex Okafor’s forced fumble for a touchdown, had three pass deflections, an interception and finished with four total tackles in the Saints’ overwhelming 52-38 win. Most of those points allowed came in garbage time as they were up 45-10 at one point. Vaccaro, Okafor and the rest of the Saints defense is peaking at the right time. Vaccaro doesn’t want all the high praise just yet, though.

Phil Dawson (K-ARI): Dawson was a perfect 5-for-5 on extra point attempts and hit a 28-yard field goal in the Cardinals 38-33 win.

Justin Tucker (K-BAL): For the second straight week, Tucker connected on all three field goal attempts. Tucker absolutely nailed a 50-yard field goal that could have gone in from 70. Along with the three field goals, Tucker connected on his lone extra point attempt in the Ravens 27-24 overtime loss.

Stats via NFL.com/gamecenter